UPDATED: SALVATION ARMY ATTENDS TO NEEDS IN UKRAINE, LOCAL CHAPTER TO BENEFIT FROM CONCERT ON MARCH 12TH

Organizations around the world are lending a helping hand to Ukraine in light of its current conflict with Russia.

Captain Tim Blevins with the Salvation Army of Rome asserts that members of the Salvation Army Corps are attending to spiritual needs of Ukrainians.

Both the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross have pledged support of at-risk families in Ukraine.

If you wish to make a donation towards relief efforts in Ukraine, make sure that you are contributing to a reputable organization. Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger sent a warning to Georgians earlier this week about scam charities that aim to profit off the crisis.

The Salvation Army of Rome will get a boost towards serving people locally with a benefit concert that will feature the Collingsworth Family on Saturday, March 12th at 6:30 pm at the Rome City Auditorium. The fundraising concert will be presented by the non-profit’s Women’s Auxiliary. Tickets cost $40 for the Artists Circle, $25 for general admission, and $23 apiece for groups of 10 or more. They may be purchased online at www.iTickets.com or at Salvation Army’s office at 317 East 1st Avenue on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 1 pm to 3 pm.

Captain Paula Blevins says that it has been two years since the Collingsworth Family last performed a benefit concert for the local Salvation Army.

For more information, contact the Salvation Army of Rome via telephone at (706) 291-4745.

FROM THE SALVATION ARMY IN RESPONSE TO THE RUSSIA/UKRAINE CRISIS:

The Salvation Army is an international movement with a faith-based mission to embrace all people, treat them with dignity, and believes no one should be defined by their challenges or circumstances. Because The Salvation Army is already meeting needs in more than 130 countries around the globe, we are able to respond and serve immediately in times of need.  Our faith in God transcends borders and we service those in this humanitarian crisis with compassion and without discrimination or prejudice.

How is The Salvation Army serving during the Russia-Ukraine Crisis?

Where it is safe to serve, The Salvation Army officers have pivoted programs to provide food, clothes, blankets, and emotional and spiritual care to those who have been displaced from their homes and are seeking refuge.

·       Ukraine: In various locations across Ukraine The Salvation Army is responding to the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially in Lviv and other border cities to Poland, by providing relief (sandwiches, hot meals, hot drinks, drinking water and other food and non-food items). 

·       Romania: The Salvation Army in Romania has formed an emergency team along with other organizations and has been able to assist a large flow of Ukrainian refugees at Siret Ferry. Another team will begin efforts at the Isacca border. A mother with 2 children was able to arrive safely in Budapest. Her route was Moldova-Romania-Hungary to get to Germany, all by way of The Salvation Army network.

·       Moldova: The Salvation Army in Moldova provides free assistance to refugees from Ukraine including temporary accommodation, hot meals and drinks, access to Wi-Fi and other relief parcels. Salvation Army facilities are being used to facilitate temporary accommodations for refugees. A local corps turned a children’s Sunday School classroom into a cosy bedroom for a family with four children. 

·       Poland: The Salvation Army is currently preparing relief parcels for Ukrainian refugees coming into the country.

·       Russia: The Salvation Army in Russia responds to the needs of displaced people by providing food, hygiene, and other relief items. To date there are over 60,000 displaced people in the southern part of Russia

·       Slovakia: A plan of action in preparation for accommodation, material needs, and emotional support has been formulated. An emergency response team consisting of representatives from Slovakia and Czech Republic has commenced and will meet on a regular basis.

·       Czech Republic: Czech Republic is already home to some 200,000 Ukrainians and therefore anticipates many refugees who will seek support from family and friends in Czech Republic. The Salvation Army has available capacity in the existing social services in Czech Republic and stand ready to provide support without impacting on the existing client base.

How can you help? 

You can support The Salvation Army’s efforts through:

Financial Contributions: All donations will directly support efforts on the ground in Ukraine and the surrounding countries providing assistance.

·       Donate online at https://salarmy.us/ukrainecrisis  or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org and click “help now.”

·       Text the keyword UKRAINE to 52000 along with the amount you would like to contribute.

Prayer and Fasting

·       We ask for your prayers for families impacted, for the many Salvation Army officers and staff who’ve served in the region for years and who are serving affected individuals now.